See the full splendour of the beautiful Heritage Coast from Covehithe in the north, through the lost city of Dunwich to Shingle Street in the south, with a taste of the medieval Wool Towns to finish

Day One Arrive at Needham Market, explore the area and spend your first night in or near this small market town.

Day Two Head through the lanes to Debenham, a pretty village with its over-hanging houses and antique shops, then on to Saxtead Green. Here you can visit the beautifully restored 18c post mill and, perhaps, take refreshment at the inn nearby. A detour to one of the vineyards in the area is well worth the visit. You spend the night in the quiet market town of Framlingham where the 12th century castle, the one-time home of Mary Tudor, and church are both superb.
(Rec 22; Min 21; Max 38 miles)

Day Three After visiting the vineyards, pass by Bramfield Church, with its unusual detached round bell tower. You may wish to take a detour to the north, hitting the coast as the road ends abruptly at the crumbling cliffs of Covehithe, a haven for birdlife. Turn south towards the pretty lighthouse and red pantiled roofs of Southwold.
(Rec 26; Min 26; Max 35 miles)

Day Four A relaxing day in Southwold, a delightful cliff top town of narrow streets and spacious greens surrounded by cottages in flint, brick and colour wash. Cycle north to Covehithe if you missed it yesterday or follow the River Blyth inland to see the magnificent church at Blythburgh.

Day Five Cross the River Blyth to Walberswick by footbridge before heading south across heather clad heath land to see what remains of the medieval port of Dunwich. Continue through the RSPB reserve at Minsmere and on to the elegant seaside town of Aldeburgh, where fishermen haul their boats onto the beach just across the road from your hotel.
(Rec 21; Min 21; Max 28 miles)

Day Six Going inland to find river crossings, you visit the arts centre at Snape, climb to the top of dramatic Orford Castle, possibly taking a boat trip from Orford Quay. Onward then to the tip of Orford Ness at quiet and beautiful Shingle Street, followed by a visit to the site of the Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo before finally arriving in Woodbridge for the night. If you were to miss out either Shingle Street or Orford, then the distances would fall to 28 or 26 miles respectively.
(Rec 37; Min 16; Max 43 miles)

Day Seven Take time to explore Woodbridge and visit the Tide Mill before climbing back onto your bikes and pedalling along quiet Suffolk lanes, passing through the pretty villages of Bealings, Tuddenham and Kersey. You spend the night in Hadleigh, an attractive market town with fine old buildings and quiet riverside walks.
(Rec 24; Min 24; Max 34 miles)

Day Eight The ride to Needham Market takes you through some of the prettiest villages in England. You'll splash through the ford in Kersey high street, (visit Long Melford with its mile long high street full of antique shops) and explore the unique collection of medieval buildings in Lavenham, the most spectacular of the wool towns.
(Rec 30; Min 19; Max 45 miles)